Universal joint.



W. CANNELL.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

APPLICATION map JUNE 18.1914.

1,159,176. I .4 at ntedNw. 2, 1915.-

other having similar prongs B fitting in n. d J

WILLIAM CANNELL, 0F SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO BAUSH MACHINE TOOL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented Nov. 2,1915.

Application filed June 18, 1914. Serial No. 845,811.

struction, which is easilyput together and Y has the minimum of parts.

The accompanying drawings embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the dust case, showing the joint in side elevation; Fig. 2 is a rear end elevationof one of the forks; Fig. 3 is a transverse section through one of the prongs of a fork on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the center block; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 6 is-a central longitudinal section of the same.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated a center block is provided having a pair of grooves A in one longitu dinal plane and a similar pair. of grooves A in a longitudinal planeat a right angle to that of A, A. The two forks are indentical, one having a pair of prongs B, B fitting in one of the two pairs of grooves A,"A and the the grooves A of the center block-and extending beyond the center of the block so that when the joint is assembled as 1n Fig. l

the block is embraced between the prongs of each of the forks and held against longitudinal movement. This construction, since it prevents separation of the block in the nor mal position also prevents introduction of the prongs of the fork upon the block in the normal position of the parts. In order to permit such introduction the block is made shorter than the diameter of the grooves, and so that its length is less than the space between the extremities of each fork. The

length of the block in fact is made such that by turning a fork to the right angle position shown in dotted lines at C, Fig. 1.,cr to any similar'abnormal position the block may be upon the centerblock and turned to its norintroduced into the space within the prongs and there turned to lock it in the normal position.

After one of theforks has been introduced illustrate an mal position the other fork can be'introduced only by pasisng one of its prongs through the space between the center blpck and the fork which is already in position. For example, the fork shown in dotted lines at C, Fig.1, can only be introduced by pgassingone of its prongs between the prongs of t'he'right hand fork already 1n position. To make such introductionpossible the forks are designed so that the space I) between the end of the block and the adjacent portion of theffork shall be suiii- 'ciently Wide to permit thepassageof a prong of the second fork.- The forks are designed, as shown in Fig. 3, with ribs'E on their inner faces fitting within the grooves of the center block and with a laterally extending outer portion F. The ribs E are' terminated at such a point as not to inter-.

fere with the introduction of the second fork and the outer portion F of the forks is cut away as indicatediat G for the same. purpose.

The stems of the forks may constitute directly sections of the shaft which are to be united by the universal joint. Preferably, however, such stems H, H constitute hubs with squared recesses as shown in Fig. 2 for 'attachment'to the ends of the shaft sections;

When the parts are assembled as in Fig. 1'

a certain angular motion of the shaft sections is permitted, sufficient for the purposes desired, without turning the sectlons to a sufficient angle-to release the forks from the center block. A. spherical casing is then applied to the joint comprising a segmental shell J extending slightly beyond the center of the joint, and a segmental shell K overlapping the edge of the shell J. This casing serves to keep out dust so as to assure durability of the joint. It is also made to serve the-purpose of locking the parts of the joint. For this purpose the shell K is formed with a shoulder L at such a point that when any one of the forks is'turned to an extreme anglethe edge of the shell J will strike the shoulder L and prevent further angular movement. This occurs before the angular movement has been sutlicient to release the fork from thecenter'block'. The casing, therefore, holds the pants in their assembledv position while permitting all the freedom of movementwhich is required,

atsuch points as to hold the "two shells J The shell constituting the two parts of the casingare fastened on the stems of their respective forksin such a way as to be easily removable. For this purpose each of the stems H and H is provided with an annular groove and a split spring'ringM is intro!- duced into said groove and projects outwardbeyond the surface of the stem so as to prevent any backward movement of f the shell; the two locking rings M-being located and K fitting closely against one another at'their overlapping portions. The center block is preferably of the spider-like construction shown in Figs. 4,5 and 6. It may, however, be made in a great variety of designs. grooves are formed in four heads N which i are segments of cylinders, and the lengths The omission of metal from the center and from the outer portions of the blocks be-.

tween the heads N leaves the metal only along the lines 0 where it is most efficiently located to carry the strains and, therefore, results in a block which combines the greatest lightness with the desired strength.

Though I have described with great particularity of detail a certain specific embodiment of my invention yet it is not to be understood therefrom that the invention is restricted to the particular embodiments disclosed. Various modifications thereof in detail and in the arrangement of the parts maybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention as defined in the following claims. The principle of the invention may be applied also to the connection ofa single fork with the center block, the connection of the opposite shaft section being made in other Ways.

As illustrated the circular meagre partake of relative angular movement to only a limited extent within said range.

2. A universal oint having parts which are adapted in normal operation to be turned at different angles relatively to each other within alimited range and adapted to be separated when turned beyond said range,

a dust guard inclosing, said joint and con sisting of two spherical parts J and K overlapping each other and adapted to partake of relative angular movement, one of said parts of the dust guard having a shoulder adapted to be engaged by the other to limit the angular movement within said range.

3. A universal joint having parts which are adapted in normal operation to be turned at different angles relatively to each other within a limited range and adapted to be separated when turned beyond said range, a locking'means extending around said joint and consisting of two parts applied to said parts of the joint and adapted to partake of relative angular movement to only a limited extent within said range, and spring devices detachably connecting the two parts of said locking. meansto the respective parts of the joint. I

4. A universal joint including in combination a center block having circular grooves in longitudinal planes and comprising heads N in which said grooves are formed and connecting members 0 spaced apart from each other and extending directly between the adjacent heads.

In witness whereof, I hai e hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. 4

WILLIAM CANNELL Witnesses I Room: D. BAnsoN, J. A. EDEN, Jr. 

